Two men charged in string of auto thefts in Shiawassee County

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MI – Two suspects have been arrested by the Shiawassee County Sherriff's Department in a series of auto thefts throughout the county, police said.

Luke Daniel Warth and Alex Ivan Cameron have been arraigned on charges from multiple burglaries to a church and storage barn along with theft of two motor vehicles and several thefts from vehicles, according to July 7 press release from the Shiawassee County Sheriff's office.

The charges total five felonies and three misdemeanors, police said. Police allege that the two 17-year-old Durand teens are responsible for a report deputies received in the early morning of July 2.

Deputies were dispatched to the 8700 mile of East Bennington Road in Vernon Township for a report of thefts from vehicles.

During the initial investigation, police said, an unknown subject was reportedly observed driving a three-wheel all-terrain vehicle near the location of the thefts. Police said residents reported seeing the ATV arrive at a residence in the same area.

When officers contacted the driver, police said, the ATV was discovered to be stolen from another nearby location.

A continued investigation, police said, resulted in the discovery of six other incidents including a burglary from Grace Lutheran Church of Durand and the theft of a golf cart from Leisure Lake Camp Ground.

Police also investigated two other additional thefts from cars, reportedly involving the suspects.

The investigation into the incidents is ongoing, police said, and one other suspect is expected to be charged.

The sheriff's office was assisted by the Durand Police Department in investigating and apprehending the suspects.